Traumatic stress response: Psychological help before, during and after a crisis

  • Published
  • By 60th Medical Operations Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  All too often, stress is perceived as a negative emotion that leads to high blood pressure, ulcers and sleepless nights -- basically something to be avoided or medicated.

In recent decades, researchers thought exposing children and adults to stress would be harmful by causing increased anxiety, decreased self-confidence and self-esteem, impaired performance in major areas of life such as school, work or relationships and possibly even lead to despair and suicide.

Behavioral scientists are starting to find that when we allow ourselves to experience the full range of our emotions, we understand ourselves better, deal with the source of our stress more effectively and can help avoid emotional disorders and poor physical health. Therefore, stress in itself is neither good nor bad -- and depending on how we view stress, it can be miserable, exhilarating or even necessary to reach your potential.

Studies investigating how some individuals can overcome extremely stressful and challenging situations, including serious trauma and loss -- particularly in light of the U.S. military's operations in Afghanistan -- has led to significant interest in the area of resiliency.

Susan Kobasa, a psychologist at City University, New York, defines resiliency as the ability to recover from or adjust to change or misfortune. From this perspective, stress is a developmental opportunity that can make us stronger if approached with the correct state of mind. This perspective is mirrored by the National Center on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which believes PTSD is a failure to recover from a loss or trauma.

What is this state of mind and body called resilience? Dr. Kobasa emphasizes three main adaptive attitudes or dimensions. First, resilient individuals exhibit commitment to the task. They believe whatever they are focused on is worth their best effort. Second, in stressful situations, resilient individuals focus on the things they can control and do not get stuck worrying about those things out of it. Lastly, stress is viewed as a challenge to be overcome.

"Applying this perspective of resiliency to the stressors associated with service in the military, the Air Force has directed the establishment of traumatic stress response teams at each major installation," said Capt. Raheem Lay, 60th Medical Operations Squadron traumatic stress team chief. "Traumatic stress response teams are available to help and educate those who may have had direct exposure to a potentially traumatic event and also prepare first responders for potentially traumatic events to improve their resiliency."

According to Lay, foreseeable and unexpected traumatic events can occur at any time or place and leave a lasting impression on those involved.

"Whether you are an earthquake or hurricane survivor or suddenly lost someone close to you due to a tragic accident, everyone placed in traumatic situations or even helping the survivors may have a psychological reaction," Lay said. "Sometimes, even normal stress reactions can take a toll on those involved, especially if there are multiple occupational and social stressors in a continuing high-ops tempo environment."

At Travis, the 60th Air Mobility Wing's TSR team is tasked to respond and provide preventive education, psychological first aid. In addition, the TSR team provides consultative services to commanders, disaster recovery managers, first responders, and survivors of natural or manmade disasters and other traumatic events.

"The Travis TSR team is composed of personnel from the mental health clinic, Airman and Family Readiness Center and our local chaplains who are specially trained to deliver TSR services to help those affected by traumatic events," said Staff Sgt. Mariann Harris, 60th Medical Operations Squadron TSR team NCO in charge. "When possible and with advance or even short notice, the TSR team can conduct pre-exposure preparation training to help first responders, base agencies, commanders, families and children develop a mind-set to cope with situations that are expected to cause trauma. In-flight emergencies, air or ground mishaps that cause death or major injuries are traumatic events that result in command calling upon the Travis TSR team for support. When the local command post becomes aware of a potentially traumatic event, the TSR team chief is notified."

The TSR team's primary task is to provide education on what to expect if and when you are exposed to a potentially traumatic event. Information and support regarding typical stress responses, effective coping strategies for dealing with traumatic stress and when and where to seek professional assistance are always provided.

"When additional psychological support is needed after a crisis, the TSR team is only a phone call away to help," Harris said. "No medical or mental health records are generated when TSR services are provided to individuals or groups who receive TSR services."

The David Grant U.S. Air Force Medical Center's mental health clinic is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from excluding holidays and down days. A mental health provider is oncall during nonduty hours for emergency consultation and is always accessible through the command post.

For more information call 423-5174.